Gorham Shelburne Randolph Cooperative School Board

Meeting Minutes of Thursday July 27, 2005

Randolph Town Hall

 

Members present:

Karen Cloutier              Jo Carpenter                Katie Kelley

Jay Holmes                               Michelle Cormier          Michael Waddell

Donna Goodrich                       Alice Evankow             Wendy Niskanen

Angela Brown

 

Administration present:  

 

Patrick Low, Superintendent                 Pauline Plourde, Business Administrator                       

Keith Parent, Principal              Paul Bousquet, Principal

 

Jo Carpenter opened the meeting at 6:35

 

The minutes of 6/2/05 were approved after corrections. Motion made by Alice Evankow seconded by Michelle Cormier.

 

Discussion was held as to whether to have a role call for votes. It was decided that except for extreme questions a voice vote would suffice.

 

Discussion was held as to the posting on minutes and whether members would have to come into the office to sign them.  It was decided that each town would have its own copy of the minutes for posting, that the draft would be posted on the web-site a copy would be available at the SAU office for the public and the school board members who wish to use the office.

 

Public comments: there were none.       

 

Communications: Patrick Low stated that there were a number of attachments added to the agenda, that Pauline Plourde would make a PowerPoint presentation.

Jo Carpenter spoke about a letter received from Standard & Poore that Gorham was one of four schools ranked in the state for excellence.

 

There was discussion regarding the ethics agreement and the current ethics policy was voted on and passed.  All members were to sign or had already signed the ethics policy.

 

There was also discussion on policy guidelines from the state education board.

Patrick Low gave his report on policy guidelines from the state and the efficiency of cooperative school boards.  Low also spoke on minimum standards and suggested that it would be worthwhile attending the workshop. Low also gave a brief review of the general operations of the schools

 

There was discussion on need of student representation on the school board. After discussion with the current student members it was decided to let the students elect student members in accordance with policy BBB and permit the students to decide on the number. 

 

Low also reported on the ongoing search for a new math teacher.  Low also reported on sites for a school board retreat.   Discussion continued on how to staff the remaining open positions.

 

Plourde gave her PowerPoint presentation on how the budget works and the overall financial report to date.  There was discussion on Trustee of trust funds and the board needing to appoint one trustee of trust funds from one of the three towns to administer the trust funds. Plourde spoke about how checks are processed and explained how revenues and expenses are administered. Discussion was held as to if board members would have to go to office to sign the bills or whether bills could be brought to the meetings. It was determined that policy members would go to the office to sign.

 

Discussion was held on the building committee and who should be appointed to the board. It was decided to ask those who had either already served or had expressed interest in serving. Wendy Niskanen gave a report on her synopsis of the history of the building committee and as to whether a study is needed of the needs and ability of the community to raise funds to build or renovate the schools.  There was discussion regarding as to what the charge would be to the building committee.  The creation of a charge was handed over to a sub committee.  Board members who volunteered to serve on the building committee process subcommittee were: Michael Waddell, Katie Kelley, Paul Bousquet, Angela Brown, Donna Goodrich and Keith Parent.

 

There was discussion as to if it is possible to negotiate with the Accreditation committee since the Gorham schools are now at an “Aware” status.

 

The policy committee reported on the progress their committee made and gave their report.  The following policies were discussed: Section A and B

 

It was voted to accept the policy committee report  The first reading of the policy report was held at this meeting the policy report will have to be read twice more before it can be accepted by the school board at the September meeting.

 

Goals were passed over and will be brought up at the next meeting.

 

A motion was made, seconded and passed to extend the meeting past the 9:30 deadline.

 

Discussion followed regarding planning and retreat for the school board.  The retreat will be held September 10th.

 

Meeting was adjourned at 9:48 p.m.

Next meeting of the Co-operative school board   will be in Shelburne August 25 2005 at 6:30 p.m.

 

Paul Robitaille, Recording Secretary